(Image source from: livemint.com)

The American multinational International Business Machines (IBM) is making plans to train over a million Indian women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) skills over the next three years with the help of Central and state government, reported PTI.

The move by the Information Technology (IT) company comes in a bid to fill the gap for highly skilled talent with digital expertise.

IBM said it is going to partner with seven state governments across the country to train over 200,000 girls in the eight to twelve years age bracket in STEM subjects for “new collar” jobs. 

The company aims to benefit nearly 4,000 mentors and 600,000 mentees, of which 500,000 will be women, via its artificial intelligence-powered mentor platform, according to media reports.

Up to now, the company has got 2,500 mentors onboard, including 300 company professionals, in collaboration with national Mentor of Change mission. 

As a part of the initiative, the company is also planning to start a two-year advanced diploma programme in emerging technology in partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

According to the company’s statement, the program will be introduced in 100 Industrial Training Institute (ITIs) - including 50 ITIs dedicated to women. Apart from that, the company is also planning to roll out five-month internships under the program.

Separately, the IT giant has also collaborated with Kendriya Vidyalaya School to help math teachers with artificial intelligence platform “Teacher Advisor with Watson” that aims to train around 300,000 girls.

Stressing on the gender disparity challenge, “We can see 100 percent of jobs are going to change. You need more women in the workforce. We are announcing for 200,000 from grade eight to twelve, we are going to prepare them for STEM over a three year period," IBM Chairman, President and chief executive officer Ginni Rometty told PTI.

By Sowmya Sangam